Manchester City haven’t made the start that many punters here at the Transfer Tavern had expected they would make after the arrival of Pep Guardiola…

It has been hard for the former Bayern and Barca gaffer to try and get his players to adapt to his style, and with all the success he’s had with his style previously we can see why he’d opt to maintain his philosophies.

The Spanish manager has had quite the dilemma in terms of team selection since coming into the club and has used a wide range of players, but has been fairly consistent with the way his team has lined up tactically.

The FA Cup could be the competition to bring Guardiola some kind of silverware, with plans not going to well in the league and a number of errors has caused the league to seemingly be getting further and further away from their grasp.

He’ll need to pick a strong team to get past Crystal Palace this weekend, though, with the Eagles’ boss Sam Allardyce likely keen to get a good run of form going.

With that said, This Man City XI will demolish Crystal Palace on Saturday…

GK: WILLY CABALLERO

The Argentine may not be the best goalkeeper in the world but with Bravo to contend with, it’s not that hard to see why Guardiola would opt for the change in keeper for the cup fixtures.

Caballero could have his work cut out for him with Benteke and Remy looking to fire Palace into the next round.

CB: NICOLAS OTAMENDI

The former Valencia man has been inconsistent at best this season so far but in terms of out and out centre-backs – City don’t have many options.

With Kompany on the injury list and Mangala out on loan at Valencia, Otamendi is one of the best he has to work with.

CB: JOHN STONES

John Stones has been questioned this season too, but he fits Guardiola’s style completely with his relaxed style of playing it out from the back.

The 22-year-old will only get better with Guardiola and he has the potential to become one of England’s very best.

CB: PABLO ZABALETA

The veteran right-back has found himself playing in a more central defensive role under Guardiola as well as playing with the captain’s armband.

He’s been less than convincing at times but with limited options, it is likely that Zabaleta will remain in a more central role.

LWB: GAEL CLICHY

When you see the calibre of talent that Guardiola has worked with in his time as a manager and you see what players he has at his disposal now, maybe it is easy to see why it has not quite worked out.

Surely he’ll bring in a fair few new faces in the summer, but for now with what he has, Clichy is the best in the left-wing back role.

RWB: BACARY SAGNA

The former Arsenal man is very much up and down with his performances for City and the full-back positions will surely be somewhere that the gaffer will be looking to improve.

Sagna, who hasn’t been the most reliable will need to put in a shift against a strong Palace attack.

CM: YAYA TOURE

With Ilkay Gundogan injured, it’s lucky they still have Yaya Toure to rely on.

He’ll have a big battle in the middle of the park with the likes of Cabaye and Ledley but shouldn’t find it too much of a hard task.

LW: DAVID SILVA

The small Spanish midfielder has been superb for City since he first arrived from Valencia and has been a vital cog in their team and no doubt will be until the day he departs.

A key figure for City and hard to name a city team without him in it.

CAM: KEVIN DE BRUYNE

Probably been City’s player of the season so far, he has had a few injuries this campaign but when fit you simply cannot have a City side without him in it.

The Belgian player will be a thorn in the side of Palace’s team that for sure and give him an opportunity to take you on and you’ll regret it.

RW: RAHEEM STERLING

Rejuvenated under Guardiola, Sterling has been influential at times for City this season.

Coming off the back of an awful summer with England in France for Euro 2016, many saw him as a bit part player ahead of this campaign – but when fit he has featured heavily for his team.

He’ll be a massive threat to Palace’s cup run and their chances of progression to the next round.

ST: GABRIEL JESUS

With the arrival of Gabriel Jesus, it could be a great opportunity for him to come in a slot in up front and show Pep and the punters just what he is capable of.

Not to say we won’t see Aguero in this game as he will surely be on the pitch at some point in the proceedings.